Linotype-machine.



PATENTED MAY 5, 1908.

A. Bow.

LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28. 1907.

s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MR Wows No. 886,584. ULPATENTED MAY 5,1 08.

- A. DOW.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

A/PPLIOATION FILED JUNE 28. 1907.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' PATENTED MAY5,1'908.

I'A. DOW.

LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED UNE 28, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

imirnn s ATEsrATENT OFFICE.

ALEXAN DER DOW, OF NEW YORK; N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO 'MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPAN Y, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed June 28; 1907. Serial No. 381,275.

To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER Dow, of blow York city, county of New York, and btate of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention has reference more particularly to linotype machines wherein slugs or linotypes, each bearing the type to print an entire line, are cast in a mold against acomposed line of matrices and intermediate spacers, the latter adapted to expand or justify the line to the predetermined length after it has been composed.

My invention relates to expansible spacers of improved form, in combination with cooperating matrices and means for assembling the matrices and spacers in line.

Each spacer consists of two unconnected oppositely tapered wedges adapted to be separately inserted in the line between the matrices, and thereafter moved one past the other to expand or increase the length of the line.

My assembling mechanism includes F devices whereby one of the wedges in its course to the line is caused to releasethe companion Wedge and effect its delivery to the line, whereby the proper delivery of the wedges in pairs is assured.

My improvedmatrices consist each of a ;flat metal plate having the letter 01 matrix proper in one of the vertical edges, this edge -being provided with horizontal shoulders at .fthe'upper and lower ends, while the opposite or rear edge is practically continuous or without such shoulders.

WVhilc I have represented details of construction which are found to operate in .a

satisfactory manner, it is to be understood that the parts may be modified in form and arrangement at will, provided only one ofthe spacing members is utilized to deliver or control the delivery of its companion to the line, this action being wholly and broadly. new in the art.

The expansible spacers and the matrices are not in themselves claimed. as a part of the present invention, being made the subj'ect of independent applications for Letters Patent.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,Fignre 1 is a front clevationof my im-.. proved composing mechanism. Fig. 2 is an' end view of the same looking from the left. Fig. 3 is'an end view looking from the right,

Spcifieation'of Letters Patent.

parts.

LINOTYPE-MACHINEh Patented May 5; 1908.

' portions being shown in vertical section.

Figs. '4- and .5 are front elevations ill ustrating the manner in which the advancing we .lge actuates the mechanism for releasing its companion. Fig.' 6 is a front elevation, showing I on a largerscale the means for releasing the long wedges or spacing members.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 77, Fig. 1, showing the. manner in which the long spacing members are deflected laterally in their passage to theline. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the lower part of the assembling mechanism on an enlarged scale. Figl 9 is a horizontal section of'the same on the line 9-9, Fig. 8,-

' looking ina downward direction. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the star-wheel and adj acent assembling devices. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the connections for driving the starwheel. Fig. 12 is ahorizontal section through the center of the star-wheel and adjacent Fig. 13 is a vertical section illustrating details-of the spacer magazine. Fig. 14 is a cross-section on the line 1414 of Fig. 9. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the star wheel and adjacent parts. Fig. 16 is a cross-section through the assembler,- showing the manner in which the matripes and spacing members are sustained their iirst positions. Fig. 17 is a frontelevationof the same, the 4 forward support being removed. Figs. 18 and 19 are views corresponding to Figs. 8 and .9, but with the spacers expanded to justify the line; Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively a top plan View and a side View of one of the shorter s acing members. Figs. 22 and 23 are side e ovations of a matrix as seen from opposite sides, the same.

-'Fig. 24 is an edge View of Empans'ible spacers 01' just'ifiers.-My improved spacers A, with which the assembling mechanism is designed to cooperate, are -1ll1lS- trated in detail-in Figs. 16' to 21,'and consist each of two members a, a. The shorter members a are designed to be seated and locked in v the composed lines of-matrices. They consist each of a thin fiat plate of essentially the same size and marginal form as the matrices hereinafter described. Each of these spacer members a is formed on one edge with the ders, but is provided near the upper end with a notch or indentation a.

The members a are of a width greater than the cooperating wedges a, and are recessed longitudinally in one side face to receive the other members, the recess being made of increasing depth from the upper to the lower end, so that this recessed portion is in vertical section of a wedge form.

The member a of much reater len th than its companion, made of increasing thickness from its upper to 1ts lower end, or in other words, it is a long wedge of suitable width to fit into the recessed side of the short with laterally projecting ears a by which to .sustain it in its magazine and during its travel through the machine, as hereinafter explained. I j

The upper end of the member a, which stands always above the member a, is also preferably made of a thickness greater than the portion immediately below, or in other words, of a thickness greater than th upper end of the tapered portion, and this for the purpose of giving it the necessary strength and affording sufficient surface for the certain action of the devices which release it from its magazine.

It will be observed that the recessing of the side face of the part a leaves vertical edges or shoulders along the sides of the recess, and that these shoulders serve to retain and guide the edges of the member a, and to hold the vertical edges of the two parts flush at the front side. This is important inasmuch as it enables the'se faces to be presented tightly 'against the mold between the adjacent matrices, so that the leakage of molten metal is prevented.

Matrices.The matrices B consist each of.

' a flat plate having one vertical edge recessed to form the shoulders I) and b at the upper and lower ends, and with the character or matrix-proper]; formed'in saidedge between the shoulders. The rear v'ertical edge of the matrix maybe continuous or without 'shoul-' ders, but is preferably provided with a small notch 6 the upper side of which is on a level. The upper end of the with the shoulders b. matrix may. 'benotched and provided with distributing teeth I), as shown, similar 'to those used in the matrices of the well known which w Mergenthaler linotype machine, or the matrix may be provided with any other appropriate features for effecting their proper distribution. The distributing feature of the matrix is foreign to the present invention, and may be modified at will. It will be observed that these matrices have essentially the same contour as the short j ustifier members a, and that they are of similar dimensions. When, therefore, the spacers are seated between the matrices in a composed line, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the matrices and the spacer members a will both project in front and in rear of the long spacer mem bers a. This admit-s of the matrices and members a being sustained upon and between the lower ilanges of two parallel horizontal supports or rails C and C, while at the same time the intermediate members a will be independently supported by the cars at their upper ends on the upper flanges of the same guides. It will be perceived that under this arrangement the short members or wedges a, are held in place properly between the matrices and in line therewith, while the members a/ are left free to pass upward through the line, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, whereby the line of less than the required length may be expanded or justified to the predetermined length against the jaws or abutments D or other supports of suitable character.

When the composed line of matrices and spacers is presented in front of the mold, as. usual in this class of machines, and as indicated in .Fig. 18, the front of the mold may engage over the lower shoulders of the matrices and the short spacer members a to hold them in properalinement. The support or pressure device M, acting against the rear edges of the matrices and members a, will support-their forward edges tightly against the mold, and the longitudinal shoulders on the members a will at the same time hold the members a, which are not acted upon by the support M, forward against the mold.

-Assembling mechanism.Passing now 1 to the'assembling mechanism, attention is directed to Figs. 1 to 15.

E'represents an upright raceway having a I series of channels through which the matrices are successiyelydelivered in the order of their selection fro'iin- .a magazine or holder,

rovided with releasing devices connected with finger keys, all of which parts are foreign to the present invention. As suitable mechanisms for this pur-. pose are familiar to all persons skilled in the art, it'is unnecessary to describe them herein.

F representsnn inclined belt upon which the matrices are received, and by which they are delivered one after another into the as sembling space in front of a star-wheel G,

and thence between the horizontal guides or rails O, C, before referred to. v

The short members a of the spacers or ]ustifiers will be stored in the magazines in the same manner as the matrices, and will be delivered-therefrom by "a fmger-key'mechanism s left-hand channel 6 of the raceway E in ion wedge a, so that the two may enter the line together in advance of the following matrix, To this end, I utilize the descend: ingmcmber afor releasing its companion a in the manner following.

The long members or wedges a are suspended in a magazine I-I, having inclined top rails h, whereon the ears at the upper ends of the wedges are sustained so that the wedges tend to move downward and forward. by gravity to the front of the magazine and against upturned shoulders it on the supporting rails.

Beneath the wedges a there is a vertically swin in fin -er 7L2 carried b a rock-shaft h Z! O C) The lower end of the foremost wedge rests against a stop shoulder h directly over the upturned end of the finger 71/ so that when the finger rises, it lifts the wedge until the ears on the upper end of the same are above the stop-shoulder 7t, whereupon the spacer, urged forward by those-behind it, passes over the shoulder, and being thus released, descends by gravity through the channel k :to the end of the composed line in front of the star-wheel. The shaft if has a crank-arm 7L6 connected by a link it to an angular lever h pivoted to the frame and carrying at the lower end the roller h? in the path of the short wedges a.

A spring 71- acting on the lever h urges the This roller forward, as shown in Fig. 5.

roller is constantly rotated by means of a belt it? passing downward to a roller h, or it may be driven by any other suitable means.

As each ofv the wedges or members a in its course toward the line, reaches the roller h", as shownin Figs, 1 and 4, it is pulled downward by the latter, as shown in Fig. 5,-so that the roller, riding upon the side face of the wedge, will he forced backward thereby. This retreat of the roller actuates the lever it, which in turn, through the intermediate parts,lifts the finger 7L2 and releases one of the long members (1. Thus it is that each of the short wedges, on approaching the line,

causes at the proper time the positive delivery of the companion wedge a. It will be understood thatthe essence of my invention in this regard lies in the employment of one of the w shaped members to control or effect d", i cry of its companion, and it will he manifest to the skilled mechanic that the details of the mechanism may be widely modified without changing the principle of action, or passing beyond the scope of my invention.

In order to permit of more convenient arrangement of the other parts, and to prevent interference with the descending matrices, the magazine H for the spacer members a, is arranged somewhat forward of the raceplate E, as shown in Fig. 3. insure the proper and speedy delivery of the descending members a into the line, an in.- clined shoulder or guide it is located in the ath of said members immediately below the evel at which they are suspended,- so that as each of the members a asses downward its 7 In order to lower end is deflected edgewise, as shown in Fig. 7, in such manner that it will pass prop- ,erly in front of the star-wheel and to its place at the end of the line.

In order'to relieve the ears of the members a from undue shock as they descend to their places in the line, I prefer to provide the fixed horizontal shelf 72- as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 8, in such position that each of the members a, descending into the line, will be arrested with its lower end upon thisshelf before the ears at-the upper end reach the sustaining rails. As the composition of the line progresses and the elongated linev is crowded forward by the star-Wheel, the members a are carried forward with the line, until they pass one after another off from the end of the shelf, whereupon they settle gently to their final positions in the line, as 'shownin the drawings.

For the "purpose of confining in close order as composition progresses, I provide the finger resistant I, carried on the end of a'horizontally sliding rotatable rod i seated in guides in ,the frame and acted upon by a friction device of any suitable character,

such for example, as that shown in Fig. 14,

consisting of a friction pad or plate i urged downward upon arod by a spring i contained in a casing or support i 7 1 As composition rogresses, the finger will yield before the e ongating line, and after composition is completed and delivery to the left is effected, the finger may be turned out of its operative position by rotatingthe rod 11, after which the finger may be returned to its the matrices original position near the star-wheel preparatory'to the composition of the next line.

When composition is carried on with great rapidity, it some times happens that the matrix or the spacer member will encounter the star-wheel'immedi'ately behind one of its points or arms in such manner that there is a sl-ight'hesitation in passing'forward to the line. To overcome this difiicul'tyl mount the star-wheel G on its spindle or shaft g in such manner as to allowa limited amount of lost motion between them. Any suitahle coupling devices may be employed to this end, but I recommend the employment of matrix encounters the star-whee i one or more studs g on the shaft in position to encounter corresponding'studs g on the rear side of the star-wheel. serve to turn the star-wheel forward in a positive manner, but if it so hap ens that a i: as shown in Fig. 15, the wheel is permitted to turn forward in advance of the shaft to a limited extent, thus permitting the matrix to pass downward and forward-without retardation. The shaft continuing its rotation, follows thestarwheel and immediately drives it again, the

matrix'in the'meantime having assumed a favorable position, so that it is carried by the wheel properly to the line.

As the matrices and spacers join the line, they are retained in position, as shown in Fig. 10, by the laterally yielding spring-actuated dogs or pawls J which in variousforms are well known in the art.

For the purpose of delivering the composed line to the left from the assembling position to the devices which transfer it to the mold, I employ the horizontalslide K mounted in the frame and provided at the forward end with upturned li s whichstand normally on opposite sides oft e star-wheel and in advance. of the line, so that when the slide is moved forward toward the position shown in of a second matrix or space bylits side.

line.

I believe the present to be the first composing mechanism in which a member, to be- ,come a part of the composed line, serves during its passage to the line, to causethe delivcry of a second or companion member to the General operatione The operation of my mechanism is as follows:

The letter matrices and fixed spaces and spacer members a will be carried in the magazme and released therefromfone at a time in the manner in which matrices are ordinarily released from this class of machines;

Descending one at a time through the channels in the face-plate E, the matrices will be received upon the belt F and delivered thereby in front of the star-wheel G and into the assembling space between the rails or sup ports C and C.

When a word is composed and the presence of a spacer or justifier is required,'-the mem-' her a is released from the magazine in the same manner as the, matrices, and passes downward through vthe channels 'e toward The studs gand permitted to continue its course.

the line. As it passes downward, it encounters the wheel 7L9 and is carried thereunder As it passes beneath the wheel, it causes the latter to move backward toward the left, thereby operating the lever b and through the intermediate connections, the finger h which releases the foremost of the spacer members a, which immediately descends into the line alongside of its companion a. The composi tion of the line then continues, another spacer is introduced, and so on repeatedly.

Having described my invention, I- claim and desire to. secure by Letters Patent 1. In a composing mechanism, expansible spacers consisting each of two unconnected wedges, in combination with means for directing one wedge to the line, and means controlled by said wedge to efiect the delivery of its companion to the line.

2. In a composing mechanism, thecombination of matr1ces,"means for delivering'them to the line, a series of short wedges and means for delivering them to the line, a series of long wedges and mechanism for delivering the long wedges to,the line, said mechanism dependent for its action on the passage of the short wedges toward the line; whereby the delivery of one wedge is caused to insure the delivery of its'companion.

- 3. In a'composing mechanism,- means for delivering members to the composed line, said means arranged to be actuated by other members in their passage to the line.

4. In a composlng mechanism, the combination of the longv wedges, their magazine, and means for delivering them singly from the magazine, said meansadapted to be actuated by the passage of shorter wedges, substantially as described.

5. In a composing mecha ism, a spacer magazine provided with mea for releasing the spacer wedgestherefrom one at a time, in combination with apower-driven roller movable bodily, and connections from said roller; 110 whereby the'passage of'one spacing wedge is adapted to effect the release of the comple mentary wedge. I,

6. 111 a composing mechanism, in combination with a spacer magazine I'I, means for delivering spacers therefrom, a lever for actu- Qmembers a of wedge-form, independently supported at their upper ends on said guides and free to rise in relation to the guides and the members a, said wedges being unconnect ed, substantially as described.

9. In a composing mechanism, the starwheel, its driving, shaft and intermediate connections; whereby. the wheel is permitted a limited rotary motion on the shaft.

1 0. In a comp sing, mechanism, a starwheel and connections for rotatingthe same in a forward direction, said connections I adapted to motion of the wheel; whereb to turn ahead under the influence of the incoming matrices or spacers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of June, 1907, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

Witnesses permit an independent forward y it is permitted ALEXANDER DOW.

G. \V. BIRD, FRANK O. JONES. 

